People eating at least seven portions of fresh fruit and vegetables reduced their overall risk of death (Picture: File/Alamy)

Health bosses tonight faced calls to review their message on fruit and vegetables after research suggested five-a-day may not be enough.

The current guidelines may need to be doubled after a study suggested those eating more were likely to live longer.

People eating at least seven portions of fresh fruit and vegetables reduced their overall risk of death by 42 per cent, compared with those who had one helping a day or less.

It also cut the threat of cancer by 25 per cent and heart disease by 31 per cent. Dr Oyinlola Oyebode, leader of the University College London study, said: ‘The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age.

‘However, people shouldn’t feel daunted by a big target like seven. Whatever your starting point, it is always worth eating more fruit and vegetables.’

The research questioned if sugary canned and frozen fruits should count towards the daily intake, after it appeared to suggest these increased the risk of death by 17 per cent per portion. NHS guidelines recommend eating five 80g portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Liverpool University experts said the 12-year study of 65,000 people in England showed it was ‘perhaps now time to update the “five-a-day” message to “ten-a-day”.’

Public Health England said it had no plans to change the guidelines, as two-thirds of adults do not meet the target.

‘Our focus remains on increasing overall consumption of fruit and vegetables to meet current recommendations,’ it added.